Michael Jackson’s burial took place today at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California, 70 days after his death on June 25. Around 200 family and friends attended the private outdoor ceremony. Some of the celebrities included Elizabeth Taylor, Lisa Marie Presley, Barry Bonds, Macaulay Culkin and Corey Feldman. Debbie Rowe had been invited but did not attend and neither did Diana Ross.
The service started an hour and a half late at 8:35 p.m. PT, as some members of the family were delayed in arriving, and took place outside of the Great Mausoleum. The hearse carrying Michael Jackson, escorted by two police motorcycles, arrived immediately after the last of the family members. Michael Jackson’s three children Paris, Prince and Blanket placed a gold crown on their father’s coffin before the service began. Gladys Knight sang “His Eye Is On The Sparrow” and songwriter Clifton Davis performed the signature Jackson 5 hit he wrote “Never Can Say Goodbye”. Joe Jackson and Reverend Al Sharpton spoke remembering Michael Jackson and saying their goodbyes.
Just before 10 p.m. local time, Michael Jackson was interred in a crypt at Holly Terrace, one of 11 hallways located inside the Great Mausoleum.
The Los Angeles coroner released an official statement today ruling Michael Jackson’s death as a homicide and cause of death was “acute propofol intoxication”.
The official statement read as follows: “Earlier this month, the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner completed its investigation into the death of Michael Joseph Jackson, age 50, who died on June 25, 2009. The cause of death was established as acute propofol intoxication. Other conditions contributing to death: benzodiazepine effect. The manner of death has been ruled: Homicide. The drugs Propofol and Lorazepam were found to be the primary drugs responsible for Mr. Jackson’s death. Other drugs detected were: Midazolam, Diazepam, Lidocaine and Ephedrine. The final coroner’s report includes a complete toxicology report will remain on security hold at the request of the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County District Attorney. In accordance with this request, the Department of Coroner will not comment on its completed investigation.”
Homicide means that the death occurred due to the hands of another person and does not necessarily imply that it would lead to criminal charges.
Michael Jackson died on June 25 after going into cardiac arrest. Attempts to revive him had failed by his personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, who was with him in his rented Holmby Hills home at the time. Paramedics were called and they also tried to resuscitate Michael Jackson while rushing him by ambulance to the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Doctors there were unable to save Michael Jackson and he was pronounced dead at 2:26 p.m. local time.